James Purser comments on the Coalition's confusion between the Government and the party which temporarily has a majority in the lower house.

There is no guarantee that any one party will remain in power and this is why the Public Service has to - as a core function - retain its independence and the perception of its independence. The country cannot run effectively if the men and women who run the day to day operations of our government, whether it is defence, social services or intelligence are forced to toe the party line. For Public Servants, the nations interests must always come before the political interests of the elected government.